The plot goes from broad comedy to outright horror. An insider said: “The Nazis really get their comeuppance. It’s a big change from all the downbeat Holocaust films over the holidays,” referring to “The Reader,” “Valkyrie,” “Defiance,” “Good,” “Adam Resurrected” and “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.”

The German Federal Film Fund has given Inglourious Basterds $8.7m as part of its efforts to boost the movie industry in Germany. Its interesting that a federal government would pony up this type of cash to give to a money-making enterprise.